Ron graduated from Vigor High School in 1960, and made All-City in Basketball his senior year. He received a Basketball Scholarship to Troy University. During his 4 years at Troy he became a member of the 1000 Point Club, scoring 1,092 career points. He was then selected as an honorable mention Small College All American. He was voted Mr. Troy University by the student body. Since graduation he has served as President of the John Archer Alumni Association. After graduating from Troy University he joined the Marine Corp. and afterwards joined First National Bank of Mobile. He worked with First National/AM South for 27 years before retiring and joining Whitney Bank for 7 years. During his banking career he graduated from LSU School of Banking. He served as President of the Board for Mobile Association of the Blind, President of the Saraland Lions Club and was on the Board of Directors for Azalea City Kiwanis Club. He served multiple offices at Saraland / Spanish Ft. United Methodist Church, including Chairman of the Administrative Board, Pastor – Parrish Relation Chairman and Finance Chairman. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Claudi Hersel and Mattie Mae Everett Hays and a sister, Patricia Hays Mueller.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years Delores Griggers Hays; children, Tracy Lenore Hays Hughes (Phil) of Charlotte, N.C. and Ronald Troy Hays (Wendy) of Spanish Fort; grandchildren, Sharon Elizabeth Hughes (Steven), Phillip Richard Hughes III (Mallory), Ronald Trent Hays, Baylor Troy Hays and Carli Diana Hays, he is also survived by other nieces and nephews.
Ron’s family is especially thankful for the excellent medical treatment and loving care he received during his illness. Special thanks to Sadd’s Hospice and Your Choice Senior Care. They always treated him with dignity and respect.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Spanish Fort United Methodist Church. Funeral Service will follow in the church at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held privately in Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile, AL.
